Dynamic Sauna

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for controlling infrared radiation (IR) sources of a sauna including tuning IR wavelength-ranges and radiated power-levels of IR sources, and directing IR to locations on a user&#39;s body. In one illustrative embodiment, a sauna may be provided having adjustable heat sources to emit IR at any wavelength resulting in a desirable radiation treatment for the sauna user. In another illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for tuning IR sources in a sauna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.12/426,762 entitled “DYNAMIC SAUNA” filed on Apr. 20, 2009, which was acontinuation of patent application Ser. No. 12/205,597, entitled“DYNAMIC SAUNA” filed on Sep. 5, 2008 which was a continuation-in-partof application Ser. No. 12/051,521, entitled “DYNAMIC SAUNA” filed onMar. 19, 2008, each incorporated herein, by reference, in theirentirety.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The present invention is defined by the claims below but,summarily, embodiments of the present invention are directed towardmethods and systems for independently controlling the temperature ofheat sources such as heat sources in a sauna. More particularly, thepresent invention permits independent control of infrared radiation (IR)sources within a sauna, including tuning peak IR frequency emissionranges and radiated power levels of IR sources and targeting thosesources at desired locations on a user's body. For example, various IRsources may be located within a sauna such that the IR sources are eachpointed at a particular part(s) of a user's body in normal use, therebypermitting the selective warming of particular portions of a user'sbody.

Heating elements in accordance with the present invention permit a userto select one or more temperatures (or peak-infrared wavelength), withdifferent temperatures/peak wavelengths being selectable for differentheating elements. In accordance with the present invention, multipleheating elements (potentially emitting at different, selected peakwavelengths) may be combined into a single compact area. Further, IRheating elements in accordance with the present invention may generateand withstand temperatures associated with traditional saunas, at whichair convection currents form. Accordingly, heating elements inaccordance with the present invention may be used to produce both IRsauna experiences and traditional sauna experiences, whereas previouslya given sauna heating element was either a traditional heating element(such as a hot rock or steam, for example) or an IR heating element.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a sauna including aplurality of IR emitters operable to emit IR over specifiedwavelength-ranges, at least one driver module for operating theemitters, and a heat control module for facilitating control of theinfrared emitters. For example, at least one IR emitter may comprise oneor more arrays of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of emitting IR.An additional example may comprise one or more arrays of LEDs and one ormore non-LED heating elements. A non-LED heating element may comprise,for example, a high resistance polyamide, a ceramic heater, a carbonblack based heater, or any other type of infrared emitting element, someof which are described further herein. In this fashion, one or more peakIR wavelengths may be selected. Further, the absolute and/or relativepower of one or more IR peaks may be selected. The wavelength and/orpower of an IR peak may also be varied over time or distance by thedriver. Such variance may be based upon user settings and/or selectionsor may be predetermined.

In a second aspect, a method is provided for using a sauna includingreceiving information related to wavelength-ranges of IR, conveying atleast a portion of this information to one or more driver modules, andemitting IR from one or more emitters that are coupled to the one ormore driver modules. The method further includes emitting IR having awavelength-range that corresponds to the received information relatingto one or more wavelength ranges of IR. In one illustrative embodiment,IR of a first wavelength-range is radiated from a first emitter anddirected to a first location on a user's body, and IR of a secondwavelength-range, different than the first wavelength range is radiatedfrom a second emitter and directed to a second location on the user'sbody. Accordingly, a sauna user may select the wavelength of IR receivedduring sauna use, and may even further select different IR wavelengthsfor different body portions and/or times.

In a third aspect a method is provided for tuning IR heating in a sauna.The method includes receiving information related to one or more IRwavelength-ranges; receiving corresponding information related to IRradiated output power-levels; and emitting, from one or more infraredsources, IR having wavelength-ranges and power-levels that correspond tothe received information. In one embodiment, the information related toone or more IR wavelength-ranges and corresponding information relatedto IR radiated output power-levels may be provided by a user. In anotherembodiment, this information may be provided by a computing device.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, infrared heaters withadjustable outputs are provided. For example, IR LEDs and non-LED IRsources such as a high resistance polyimide film, a ceramic heater, acarbon black based heater, or any other type of infrared emittingelement, some of which are described further herein, may be used invarious combinations. In this way, a desired peak IR wavelength(s) maybe obtained for use in a variety of heating applications.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, an IR heater may have two or moreportions designed to operate at different temperatures and producemultiple peak IR wavelengths. For example, a high resistance polyimidefilm may have two or more portions that operate at differenttemperatures, thereby outputting different peak IR wavelengths. In thisexample, the two or more portions of a high resistance polyimide filmmay be fixedly or adjustably set to operate at their respectivetemperatures.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the peak wavelength andpower output of an infrared heater, can be independently controlled.Instead of controlling both output power and peak IR wavelength byvarying current to a single heating element, the present inventionprovides independent control of different portions of an IR heater. Byindependently controlling a plurality of independent heater portions,output power and peak wavelength may be controlled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sauna in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away front view of a sauna in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away rear view of a sauna in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitablefor use in implementing the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary client module inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for using a sauna inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is flow diagram showing a method for using a sauna in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view of various IR emitting elements that may be employed inthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of an example IR emitter that may be employed as a heatsource in the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a view of an exemplary IR source in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary IR heat source inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a method by which an embodiment of the present invention maybe used for tuning IR heating in a sauna;

FIG. 12 is a further method in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of multi-peak infrared spectrum that maybe obtained using systems and methods in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover,although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connotedifferent elements of methods employed, the terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary sauna 100 is illustrated and generallyincludes a base panel 112, upright side panels 110 extending upwardlyfrom base panel 112, a top panel 114 surmounting the side panels 110 soas to define a sauna enclosure. The sauna illustrated in FIG. 1 alsoincludes a rear panel 130 and a front panel 120 having a door 123disposed therein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the door 123 may be made of any number of various materials suchas, for example, glass, wood, or particle board. The front panel 120 hasa window 124 disposed between the door 123 and one of the side panels110. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that thepanels and other components of a sauna 100 could be built using wood,metal, ceramics, or any other material available.

In the illustrated embodiment, an external control panel 126 is alsoshown. As will be further described below, various embodiments of thepresent invention may have an external control panel 126 for controllingvarious sauna features such as, for example, heating, lighting, orentertainment devices. In other embodiments, a sauna may not have anexternal control panel 126, but only an internal control panel, asdiscussed below. In further embodiments, a sauna may be provided with anexternal control panel that is not attached to the sauna, but rather isat a remote location such as, for example, a desk or control station ina health club. All of these arrangements, and all combinations thereof,are intended to be within the ambit of the saunas described herein.

Although the illustrated sauna has a generally rectangularconfiguration, it is entirely within the ambit of the present inventionto provide other sauna configurations. For example, in one embodiment asauna may be provided that has upright panels extending upwardly fromthe base panel at an angle so as to present a different polygonal shape.In another embodiment, a sauna may be configured so that it can fitcomfortably in a corner of a room such as, for example, the Signature™Corner sauna available from Sunlight Saunas, Inc. of Kansas City, Kans.In still a further embodiment, a sauna may be configured as a circularshaped modular sauna with interconnected panels. In one embodiment, asauna may be provided that is configured with a semi-hemispherical shapefor accommodating a single user such as, for example, the Solo System®available from Sunlight Saunas, Inc. of Kansas City, Kans.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a cut-away front view of a sauna such as thesauna 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown. As illustrated, in oneembodiment of the present invention, the sauna 100 may include one ormore seating structures 136, such as benches, chairs, or other seatingstructures. The seating structures 136 may be disposed adjacent to anyof the various internal walls of the sauna such as for example, the sidewalls 110 or the back wall 130. In various embodiments, such as the onedepicted in FIG. 2, the sauna may include open spaces 138 disposedunderneath the seating structures 136 and adjacent the interior walls110 or 130. The open spaces 138 may be left open, used for storage, usedto house other sauna feature devices, such as, for example, a computingdevice as described below, or may be used for any other purpose and inany other manner known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, thesauna 100 is also provided with backrests 134 disposed on top of theseating structures 136 for supporting a user in an upright, seatedposition.

Additionally, the sauna 100 is equipped with heat sources 140, 142, 144,146, which are operable to heat the enclosure. The heat sources 140,142, 144, 146 are preferably configured to emit infrared radiation atvarying wavelengths within the sauna so as to provide both heating anddesirable IR treatment. In some embodiments, the heat sources may beadjustable to emit infrared radiation at any wavelength within theinfrared wavelength spectrum such as, for example, near infrared, midinfrared, or far infrared. The heaters may include, for example,carbon-black-containing planar heating elements such as for example,Solocarbon® heat sources available from Sunlight Saunas, Inc. of KansasCity, Kans. The heaters may also comprise IR LEDs and/or other IRemitters as further described herein. Those ordinarily skilled in theart will appreciate that such heat sources 140, 142, 144, 146 provide adry sauna with infrared treatment. As described further herein, IRemitters in accordance with the present invention may be used to createa “traditional” sauna experience, either by itself or in conjunctionwith a dry IR sauna experience. Additionally, certain wavelengthsettings may be adapted for particular treatment types such as, forexample, detoxification, weight loss, pain management, and the like.

However, one of skill in the art will note that certain aspects of thepresent invention are not limited to such a sauna (e.g., certainprinciples apply to other types of saunas, such as steam saunas) orheaters (e.g., traditional coil heaters, etc.) or even at all.Similarly, although the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 showsa plurality of heat sources, it will be appreciated that otherembodiments of the present invention may include saunas with a singleheat source such as, for example, a single infrared heat source, aheated rock heat source, or a wire heat source.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the heat sources 140, 142, 144, 146may be configured such that individual heat sources 140, 142, 144, 146or combinations of heat sources 140, 142, 144, 146 may be selected tooutput wavelengths of radiation that are different than wavelengths ofradiation emitted by other heat sources 140, 142, 144, 146. Such aconfiguration may be optimized to achieve a zone-heating effect, whereone or more heat sources 140, 142, 144, 146 is situated in a zone thatcorresponds to a particular region on a user's body, thus providing amechanism for concentrating different levels of heat to different partsof the user's body. In an embodiment, one or more heat sourcescorresponding to one or more zones may be turned off such that no heatis emitted in those zones. It will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that such arrangements may be advantageous forvarious therapeutic reasons.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, some heat sources144 may be positioned in a zone corresponding to a user's calf region(i.e., the lower part of the leg). Other heat sources 146 may bepositioned in a zone corresponding to a user's lower-back region, andfurther heat sources 140, 142 may be positioned in zones correspondingto various other regions of a user's back. Thus, for example, if a userwishes to apply more heat to a sore calf muscle than to the rest of theuser's body, the user may be able to select a higher output from heatsource 144, while selecting a lower output for heat sources 140, 142,and 146. In various embodiments, fewer heat sources than thoseillustrated in FIG. 2 may be used, and in various other embodiments,more heat sources than those illustrated in FIG. 2 may be used.Additionally, heat sources may be configured in any number of ways todefine zones that correspond to any number of regions of a user's body.As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, any numberof various combinations of settings and configurations for the heatsources are contemplated within this description.

FIG. 8 depicts examples of various IR emitting elements that may beemployed in the present invention as component emitters of an IR heatsource. Example IR emitters include infrared light-emitting diodes(LEDs) 810, 812, and 814; thermal IR emitting elements 820 and 822;ceramic-based IR emitting element 830, and planar heating element 850.Each element may provide IR at specific wavelengths and function as partof an IR emitter heat source. Any individual IR heat source may compriseone or more IR emitters, such as the examples illustrated in FIG. 8, andmay further comprise multiple types of IR emitters that may possessdifferent output properties.

Continuing with FIG. 8, LEDs 810, 812, and 814 may be surface-mountablesuch as LEDs 812 and 814. The semiconductor in the LEDs may be chosen toprovide IR at specific wavelength ranges. For example, semiconductorsusing Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) or Gallium Aluminum Arsenide may be usedto provide LEDs capable of emitting near-infrared radiation.Carbon-nanotubes may also be used, either in addition to or in place ofother semiconductors. LEDs emitting mid- or far-infrared may also beused either alone or in combination with near-infrared LEDs or otherelements, such as those described herein. The beam-angle of the LEDs maybe chosen to facilitate targeting IR at specific locations. One exampleLED suitable for use in some embodiments of the present invention is theEverlight IR15-21C manufactured by Everlight Electronics Co. Thermal IRemitting elements 820 and 822 may comprise a coiled resistance wire,having high emissivity in the infrared spectral region, coiled over analuminum substrate. One example thermal IR emitting element suitable foruse in embodiments of the present invention is the IR-12K manufacturedby Boston Electronics. Ceramic-based IR emitting element 830 may includean infrared ceramic heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter comprising wire832 encapsulated in with alumina. One example ceramic-based IR emittingelement suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention is theCeramic Heat Wave Lamp manufactured by Exo Terra®, a subsidiary ofHagen, Inc. of Montreal, Canada. Planar heating element 850 may comprisea high-emissivity substrate 852 deposited on a surface 854 oralternatively between surfaces 854 and 856. Surfaces 854 and 856 may bemade of heat-tolerant materials such as, for example, fiberglass,plastic, glass, ceramic, or any suitable materials. High-emissivitysubstrate 852 may comprise carbon-black containing materials such as,for example, carbon-infused paper or fabric, carbon ink deposited ontosurface 854 or 856, or other suitable carbon-based materials. Oneexample planar heating element suitable for use in embodiments of thepresent invention is the Solocarbon® heat source available from SunlightSaunas, Inc. of Kansas City, Kans. Alternatively, high-emissivitysubstrate 852 may comprise nano-particalized ceramic that may bedeposited onto surface 854 or between surfaces 854 and 856. One examplesuitable for use in embodiments of the present invention is theInsuladd® nano-particalized ceramic spray-on coating from Insuladd Co.of Merritt Island, Fla. In another example embodiment, thenano-particalized ceramic may be mixed with a carbon-containing ink anddeposited onto surface 854 or between surfaces 854 and 856.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of an IR heat source that maybe employed as a heat source in a sauna in accordance with the inventionor for other heating applications. IR emitter 900 may include variouscombinations of IR emitters such as, for example, those discussed abovein connection to FIG. 8, and preferably can be operated to emit IR overone or more desired wavelength-ranges and power-levels. In oneembodiment IR source 900 may include a planar heating element 950capable of providing far-IR, ceramic-based mid-IR emitters 930 and 935,and LEDs 910 capable of emitting near-IR. LEDs 910 may be arranged in aLED array 913 which may comprise one or more of a LED sub-array 915. IRsource 900 may further include driver circuitry 960 for facilitatingcontrol of the IR emitters in accordance with the present invention.Specifically, driver circuitry 960 may comprise one or more individualdriver modules and may be coupled to or operable to receive informationfrom a heat control module, control panel, or a computing device. Eachdriver module may be configured to supply appropriate voltages orcurrents to some emitting elements or sub-arrays of elements needed forproviding IR emissions, which correspond to specific wavelength-rangesor radiated output power-levels. For example, driver modules may beconfigured to use pulse width modulation for IR emitters, enabling moreprecise control over IR wavelength-ranges and radiated output powerlevels and thereby facilitating tuning IR heating. Driver circuitry mayfurther include a printed circuit board wired to include an AC inputvoltage (Vcc), a DC gate voltage (Vg), and full-wave rectifier. LEDsub-arrays may be coupled to Vg and optionally the rectifier in such amanner that the amount of current flowing into each sub-array may becontrolled by varying Vg. In embodiments including a full waverectifier, driver circuitry may further include components such as, forexample, capacitors, operational amplifiers, and inductors for smoothingthe output of the full-wave rectifier. Alternatively driver circuitrymay be configured to pulse-operate the LED sub-arrays using theunsmoothed output of the rectifier. In this embodiment, the pulse widthmay be varied, for example, by changing the number of series-wired LEDswithin each sub-array.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a forward-facing cut-away view of the interior ofsauna 100 is illustrated. As indicated previously, sauna 100 may includean internal control panel 128 attached, for example, to an interior sideof front panel 120. The interior control panel 128 may include anynumber of various control panels known in the art, such as, for example,configurations that include a number of buttons, dials, switches, and/ordisplays disposed thereon. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thecontrol panel 128 may include a display device such as, for example, aliquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a plasma display screen, or anyother type of display screen appropriate for displaying variousinformation associated with a user's sauna experience. In oneembodiment, control panel 128 may comprise a touch-screen display deviceoperable to display output as well as to receive user input, where auser may interact with control panel 128 by touching the screen with afinger, stylus, or other object. In still further embodiments, controlpanel 128 may be a portable device such as, for example, a remotecontrol device or module. In other embodiments, control panel 128 may beadapted to be worn by a user, such as, for example, by affixing strapsto a part of the body.

Control panel 128 may be integrated with, or coupled to, any of thevarious controllable features associated with sauna 100. For example, inan embodiment, control panel 128 is coupled to heat sources 140, 142,144, 146. In other embodiments, control panel 128 may be coupled to, andthus enable control of, other features such as adjustable lighting,timing devices, and the like.

In an embodiment, control panel 128 may be coupled to a multimediaentertainment system. A multimedia entertainment system may includeaudio devices, audio/video devices, and the like. For example, in anembodiment, a multimedia entertainment system may include such audiodevices as a cd player, an MP3 player, or a connection for a portablemusic storage system such as an iPod®, available from Apple Incorporatedof Cupertino, Calif. In other embodiments, audio devices may include orbe interfaced with one or more receivers, speakers, etc. Multimediaentertainment systems may also include audio/video media devices such astelevisions, monitors, projectors, DVD players, and the like. Multimediacontent may be accessed by a multimedia system in any manner known inthe art such as, for example, by accessing a storage device, byreceiving transmissions, and the like.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a sauna may contain amultimedia therapeutic system, which may, for instance, be similar to amultimedia entertainment system, but may have therapeutic value (ascompared with entertainment value). For example, in one embodiment, asauna may be provided that includes Acoustic Resonance Therapy Products,such as the “SO SoundHeart” product line, available from So SoundSolutions, Inc., of Lafayette, Colo. In various other embodiments,multimedia therapy systems may include integrations of acoustic therapyproducts with therapy products that utilize lighting or other sensoryeffects.

Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is a monitoring device 152 that may beconfigured to collect biological data associated with a user of sauna100. Monitoring device 152 may include a sensor and may be configured tocommunicate data collected by the sensor to a computing device such as,for example, computing device 150 described below. It will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that monitoring device 152 maybe of any number of different configurations. In an embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 3, monitoring device 152 may include a band that canbe removably attached to a user's arm or wrist. In other embodiments,monitoring device 152 may include other sensor configurations as knownin the art, and may include sensors that are disposed within the seatingstructure 136 or elsewhere within the enclosure of sauna 100.

In various embodiments, monitoring device 152 may communicate with acomputing device 150. Computing device 150 may, as shown, be associatedwith the sauna. In other embodiments, computing device 150 is remotefrom the sauna, and may be located anywhere desired. For example,computing device 150 may be located at a doctor's office, a health clubdesk, a central serving station, a sauna manufacturer or retailer, oranywhere else desired. As used herein, computing device 150 may include,for example, client software adapted for communicating with a server. Inother embodiments, computing device 150 may be a server.

In various embodiments, computing device 150 may be or include a controlpanel for controlling the sauna. In other embodiments, computing device150 may be integrated with a control panel 128. In further embodiments,computing device 150 may be integrated with monitoring device 152. Thatis, computing device 150 may be part of monitoring device 152. In stillfurther embodiments, computing device 150, monitoring device 152, andcontrol panel 128 may all be integrated into a single device. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of othercomponents or devices may be integrated with any or all of computingdevice 150, monitoring device 152, and control panel 128.

Communication between monitoring device 152 and computing device 150 maybe achieved using any communication technology known in the art. In someembodiments, communication may be achieved, for example, using radiotechnology, Bluetooth™ technology, infrared technology, 802.11technology, USB™ ports, Firewire® ports, analog phone lines, etc.

Monitoring device 152 may be configured to collect biological dataassociated with a user of sauna 100. In an embodiment, such biologicaldata may include, for example, measurements or other informationcorresponding to a user's blood pressure, heart rate, core bodytemperature, perspiration rate, and the like. In another embodiment,biological data may include a user's body weight. In a furtherembodiment, biological data may include data regarding a user'sbreathing performance such as, for example, a breathing rate or bloodoxygen saturation. In still further embodiments, biological data mayinclude any data commonly collected during a stress test, which may beperformed using a particular wavelength of the exit.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that monitoringdevice 152 can be configured to collect information regarding these andmany other data associated with a physiological state of a sauna user.In some embodiments, for example, monitoring device 152 may comprise oneor more sensors that can be attached to various parts of a user's bodyfor collecting and/or rendering data such as data associated with commontests like EEGs or EKGs. In other embodiments, monitoring device 152 maybe adapted for measuring breathing rates, lung capacity, or compositionsof exhaled air. These data may be used, for example, in performingwellness analyses, preparing training programs, and tracking userprogress, as described further below.

Both the monitoring device 152 and the control panel 128 may beconfigured to communicate with a computing device 150. In anotherembodiment, computing device 150 may be integrated with control panel128 as a single device. In further embodiments, any one or combinationof monitoring device 152, control panel 128, and computing device 150may be a single device or multiple devices. As shown in FIG. 3,computing device 150 may be situated in an open space 138 underneath aseating structure 136, as described above. In other embodiments,computing device 150 may be situated in any other region of theenclosure. In further embodiments, computing device 150 may be attachedto an outside surface of sauna 100. In still further embodiments,computing device may not be attached to sauna 100, but rather beseparate from sauna 100. For example, computing device 150 may besituated nearby sauna 100 or may be in a remote location, such as, forexample, near a front desk of a health club. In still furtherembodiments, one or more components of computing device 150 may besituated in one location with other components situated in otherlocations.

Computing device 150 may communicate with other devices, with featuresassociated with the sauna, with monitoring device 152, and with controlpanel 128 in any manner known in the art. For example, in oneembodiment, communication cables such as USB cables or fiber-opticcables may be used to facilitate communication. In other embodiments,communication may be achieved using wireless technology. In furtherembodiments, communication may be indirect such as, for example, in thecase where a user wishes to extract some piece of data or informationfrom the computing device 150 for storage or transport to anotherdevice. Accordingly, computing device 150 may include a USB port orother type of input/output mechanisms such as disk drives, externalportable hard drives, discs. These embodiments are presented only asexamples of possible configurations, and are not intended to limit theplacement of computing device 150 or any other device or featuredescribed herein.

The computing device 150 may be provided for controlling the operationof the sauna 100, or any aspect or combination of aspects of theoperation of sauna 100. In some embodiments, the computing deviceincludes an independent computing device dedicated to the sauna 100. Inother embodiments, the computing device 150 may be the control panel 128or a component of the control panel 128. The computing device mayreceive inputs, such as inputs associated with temperature settings,light settings, and biological data. Based on the inputs, the computingdevice may control the sauna features within the enclosure. For example,computing device 150 may adjust the lighting level, temperature, orother aspects of operation of the sauna 100, based upon criteria such asa timed program, collected biological data, inputs received from a user,etc. The computing device 150 may include various input/output devicesor components such as, for example, printers, displays, etc. Thecomputing device 150 may also include one or more connection ports forproviding interfaces with peripheral devices such as storage devices,other computing devices, additional monitors, multimedia entertainmentdevices, adjustable lighting devices, etc.

In some embodiments, the computing device may act as a stand-alonedevice such that the computing device maintains all data necessary foroperating the features of the sauna 100. In other embodiments, however,the computing device operates within a distributed computingenvironment. In one embodiment, the computing device may be interfacedwith or integrated into, for example, a computing system. The computingsystem may be a comprehensive computing system within a networkingenvironment such as the exemplary computer network environment 400 shownin FIG. 4. It will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the illustrated computer network environment 400is merely an example of one suitable computing environment and is notintended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the invention. Neither should the computer networkingenvironment 400 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any single component or combination of componentsillustrated therein.

Embodiments of the present invention may be operational with numerousother general purpose or special purpose computing system environmentsor configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems,environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use withthe present invention include, by way of example only, personalcomputers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of theabove-mentioned systems or devices, and the like.

Embodiments of the present invention may be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules,being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include, butare not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and datastructures that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Embodiments of the present invention may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in local and/or remote computer storage mediaincluding, by way of example only, memory storage devices.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the exemplary computer networkingenvironment 400 includes a general purpose computing device in the formof a server 402. Server 402 may be remote from the computing device 150described above or server 402 may be computing device 150. Components ofthe server 402 may include, without limitation, a processing unit,internal system memory, and a suitable system bus for coupling varioussystem components with the server 402. The system bus may be any ofseveral types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus, using any of a variety ofbus architectures. In one embodiment, two or more servers may bedirectly or indirectly connected to each other without using network406. While the server 402 is illustrated as a single unit in FIG. 1, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the server 402 is scalable. Theserver 402 may in actuality include any number of servers incommunication. For example, in one embodiment server 402 may actuallyinclude two servers, and in another embodiment server 402 may be a bankof servers. The single unit depictions are meant for clarity, not tolimit the scope of embodiments in any form.

The server 402 typically includes, or has access to, a variety ofcomputer readable media. Computer readable media can be any availablemedia that may be accessed by server 402, and includes volatile andnonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media. By wayof example, and not limitation, computer readable media may includecomputer storage media and communication media. Computer storage mediamay include, without limitation, volatile and nonvolatile media, as wellas removable and nonremovable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. In thisregard, computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magneticstorage device, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which may be accessed by the server 402.Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and mayinclude any information delivery media. As used herein, the term“modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more of itsattributes set or changed in such a manner as to encode information inthe signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediaincludes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wirelessmedia. Combinations of any of the above also may be included within thescope of computer readable media.

The server 402 may operate in a computer network 406 using logicalconnections to one or more computing devices 408. Computing devices 408may be located at a variety of locations such as, for example, in ahealth club, office, spa, clinical, or home environment. Computingdevices 408 may, in some embodiments, be operable to control variousfeatures within saunas as described throughout this document. In otherembodiments, computing devices 408 may be centrally located and beoperable to control a plurality of saunas, and may, in addition, beconfigured to perform various other functions. The computing devices 408may be personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, peer devices,other common network nodes, or the like, and may include some or all ofthe components described above in relation to the server 402. Thedevices can be personal digital assistants or other like devices.

Exemplary computer networks 406 may include, without limitation, localarea networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs). Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices, and may include suchembodiments as enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and theInternet. When utilized in a WAN networking environment, the server 402may include a modem or other means for establishing communications overthe WAN, such as the Internet. In a networked environment, programmodules or portions thereof may be stored in the server 402 or on any ofthe computing devices 408. For example, and not by way of limitation,various application programs may reside on the memory associated withany one or more of the computing devices 408 or servers 402. It will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the networkconnections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing acommunications link between the computers (e.g., server 402 andcomputing devices 408) may be utilized.

In operation, a user may enter commands and information into the server402 or convey the commands and information to the server 402 via one ormore of the computing devices 408 through input devices, such as akeyboard, a pointing device (commonly referred to as a mouse), atrackball, touch-screen, or a touch pad. Other input devices mayinclude, without limitation, microphones, satellite dishes, scanners, orthe like. Commands and information may also be sent directly from aremote sauna to the server 402, as well as from server 402 to any numberof remote saunas. In addition to a monitor, the server 402 and/orcomputing devices 408 may include other peripheral output devices, suchas speakers and a printer.

Server 402 may also be configured to receive diagnostic information fromanother computing device, such as computing device 408. In otherembodiments, server 402 may maintain a website or other publicly orprivately viewable collection of information. A website maintained byserver 402 may include interactive information for users, updates forsauna feature settings, information regarding saunas, interactive repairservices, and any other feature, service or set of information that maybe helpful or necessary in accomplishing any of the other objects,embodiments, processes, and environments described herein with respectto the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, computing device 408 may include a clientmodule 410 that facilitates, in part, communications between thecomputing device 408 and server 402. For example, turning briefly toFIG. 5, a schematic illustration of an exemplary client module 410 isshown. As illustrated, client module 410 may include an input/outputcomponent 502 for communicating with a server 402. The input/outputcomponent 502 may be configured to send communications to server 402, aswell as receive communications from server 402. In one embodiment, forexample, the input/output component may facilitate communicating datasuch as biological data to server 402. In an embodiment, input/outputcomponent 502 may be configured to receive communications includingsauna feature settings from server 402.

As used herein, a sauna feature setting may include any setting orconfiguration that, when applied to a device or feature associated witha sauna, provides a particular experience to a sauna user. For example,in an embodiment, a sauna feature setting may include a temperature orwavelength setting that, when applied via computing device 408 to a heatsource included in a sauna, results in the heat source emitting aparticular amount of heat or radiation at a particular wavelength. Inother embodiments, a sauna feature setting may correspond to suchfeatures as adjustable lighting, wherein applying a sauna featuresetting may cause a particular type of lighting effect or ambiencewithin the enclosure.

In further embodiments, a sauna feature setting may be associated withany number of other features of a sauna such as, for example, a timerdevice that is operable to control the duration of heat output atparticular wavelengths, settings internal to computing device 408,entertainment media devices (e.g. audio, visual, or audio/visual mediapresentation devices), and monitoring devices, such as described above.In embodiments of the present invention, sauna feature settings may besaved individually or in combination with other sauna feature settings.In various embodiments, saved or stored sauna feature settings maycorrespond to certain types of treatment, certain users, or recentlyused settings. Saved sauna feature settings may be organized, in anembodiment, into one or more profiles associated with users, treatmenttypes, or any other desired factor, parameter, or event.

Sauna feature settings may be defined by a sauna user, a health cluboperator, or a computer program and may be applied to the sauna in anynumber of ways such as by inputting the sauna feature settings via acontrol panel such as the control panel 128 illustrated in FIG. 3, acomputing device 408, or a server 402. In this regard, server 402 mayinclude a dynamic experience updating module 404, as illustrated in FIG.4. The updating module 404 may be configured to generate sauna featuresettings to be communicated to and applied by a computing device 408.The updating module may, for example, receive data from the clientmodule 410 that may include biological data associated with a user, anduse this data to generate appropriate sauna feature settings thatprovide an optimum experience for the user. These sauna feature settingsmay be generated and applied during a sauna session, that is while auser is using the sauna, or may be generated and/or applied before orduring a later session.

In an embodiment, the updating module 404 is configured to work with theclient module 410 of the computing device 408 in order to maintain atraining program. A training program may include a program such as thoseknown in the art to be associated with any number of various health orfitness programs such as, for example, workout programs, aerobicsprograms, and the like. A sauna training program may also includeprogrammed settings for achieving, for example, such health benefits asdetoxification of a user's body or weight loss. It will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that the potential benefits fromcontrolled heating environments such as saunas are numerous.

A training program may include a number of predetermined progress levelsthat correspond to various sauna feature settings. A user may utilizesuch a training program by engaging in sauna sessions at a particularprogress level, and upon successfully completing a progress level,moving on to another progress level that corresponds to different saunafeature settings. In this manner, biological data associated with thephysiological response of a user to sauna sessions may be logged,analyzed, and tracked in order to vary the sauna experience in a mannerthat facilitates achieving optimal health, comfort, and therapeuticbenefits from the use of the sauna.

In other embodiments, updating module 404 may be configured to manageuser profile settings. A user profile may include various settingsrelated to sauna features such as those described above. A user profilemay contain settings directed toward specific comfort levels, experiencetypes, and users.

Returning to FIG. 5, client module 410 may also include a storagecomponent 504 for storing data such as, for example, biological datacollected by a monitoring device such as the monitoring device 152,illustrated in FIG. 3. The storage component 504, shown in FIG. 5, mayfurther be configured to store any other type of data or information,including data and information associated with a training program, asdescribed below. Client module 410 may further include a settingscomponent for facilitating the application of sauna feature settings tothe various features, devices, and aspects of a sauna.

Returning now to FIG. 4, computing device 408 may also include ananalysis module 412 for analyzing data and information. Various data andinformation may be received by the analysis module 412 from any numberof sources, such as the client module 410, a control panel, or amonitoring device such as the monitoring device 152 described above. Theanalysis module 412 may be configured to perform any number of variousanalysis processes on data and/or information received therein. Module412 may be integral to sauna, or may be external to sauna—for example,associated with a web server or other external computer. In anembodiment, analysis module 412 is configured to analyze biological datacollected by a monitoring device such as monitoring device 152 describedabove. Analysis module 412 may generate, as output, any number of typesof data and/or information that may be represented in any manner knownin the art such as, for example, values, graphs, tables, and charts. Inother embodiments, analysis module 412 may output information to anotherdevice such as a computing device, diagnostic device, control panel,etc. In an embodiment, such information may be outputted to a webpagewhere it can be managed and viewed by a user or others. In otherembodiments, information may be outputted to a server or storage systemfor various purposes. In an embodiment, analysis module 412 may beconfigured to determine various factors associated with a user'sphysiological health or response to a sauna experience. Such informationmay include, but is not limited to, computations related to energy suchas caloric measurements.

Computing device 408 may also include a heat control module 414 forcontrolling and adjusting the various outputs of heat sources within thesauna. The heat control module 414 may be configured to implement heator wavelength settings as inputted by a user or other device. In oneembodiment, heat control module 414 includes a timing mechanism forcontrolling the length of time that heat sources produce output. Inanother embodiment, heat control module 414 may be configured to causethe sauna to rapidly achieve a desired temperature such as by, forexample, causing the heat sources to generate a higher heat output for aperiod of time before a user enters the enclosure. Additionally,computing device 408 and/or server 402 may include a diagnostic module416 for performing diagnostics associated with the operation of thesauna. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that asauna having controllable features and devices therein generallyincludes one or more electrical systems for facilitating the operationand control of those features and devices. Such an electrical system mayinclude any number of circuits and may be operable to transmitelectricity to and from features and devices. An electrical system maybe configured to be generally used for providing power or transferringinformation.

Diagnostic module 416 may be configured to communicate with one or morediagnostic devices disposed within the sauna enclosure. In otherembodiments, diagnostic module 416 may be configured to communicate withother modules associated with a computing device within the sauna. Infurther embodiments, diagnostic module 416 or diagnostic devices may beconfigured to communicate with other remote computing devices,diagnostic devices, or software modules. For example, in an embodiment,diagnostic module 416 may be configured to communicate diagnosticinformation and error reports to a repair service provider withoutinteraction from a user. In still further embodiments, diagnostic module416 may be configured to prepare repair requests and/or orderreplacement parts, with or without input from the user and may even beconfigured to perform various tasks such as these without the user everknowing about it.

The diagnostic devices may be coupled to different locations within thevarious circuits that comprise the electrical systems of the sauna. Thisway, the diagnostic devices may be configured to monitor the flow ofelectricity through various channels in the electrical system and may befurther configured to detect and gather data associated with electricalfailures. In an embodiment, the diagnostic device may also be configuredto test circuits such as by applying a signal to a circuit. As usedherein, an electrical failure may be any undesired or unexpected eventwithin the electrical system that results in the performance of theelectrical system being anything other than the performance for whichthe electrical system is designed.

Upon detecting an electrical failure, the diagnostic devices maycommunicate information and/or data associated with the electricalfailure to the diagnostic module 416. The diagnostic module 416 may beconfigured to analyze such data in order to determine variouscharacteristics associated with the electrical failure such as what theelectrical failure consists of, what caused the electrical failure, howthe electrical failure will or does affect other aspects of theelectrical system, and how to repair the electrical system to eradicatethe effects of the electrical failure. In various embodiments, thediagnostic module 416 may be configured to output diagnostic informationon a display device, to send diagnostic information to a remote locationsuch as to a server, or output diagnostic information in any othermanner known in the art.

Turning to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided that shows a method 600for using a sauna in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In an embodiment, a training program such as that describedabove may be maintained and managed at a server such as server 402illustrated in FIG. 4. At step 602 of FIG. 6, a plurality of progresslevels associated with a training program are identified. As indicatedabove, each of these progress levels may correspond to one or more saunafeature settings such as, for example, duration of a training session,temperature of various heat sources in various zones, radiationwavelengths emitted by heat sources in various zones, humidity levels,and the like.

In various embodiments, progress levels may be designed for trainingprograms targeted to specific types of users, therapy, illnesses,conditions, injuries, locations, etc. For example, in one embodiment, atraining program may be designed with sauna feature settings selectedfor use by users of a certain age, gender, health status, or the like.In an embodiment, for example, a training program may be designedespecially for pregnant women. In another embodiment, a training programmay be designed for women with fibromyalgia who are older than 40 yearsold. These are but a few examples of a myriad of possibilities and arenot intended to limit the purposes for which a training program may bedesigned in any way.

At step 604, notification is received that indicates that a user hasinitiated a training session associated with a first one of the progresslevels. As the training session progresses, biological data associatedwith the user is received at step 606 from a client, such as clientmodule 410 of computing device 408 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated at step 608, the biological data is stored after beingreceived. In an embodiment, the biological data may be stored as part ofa session entry in a training log associated with the user. At step 610,the biological data is analyzed in order to generate conclusionsregarding the user's wellness and physiological responses to thetraining session. This analysis is used at the end of the trainingsession to determine, in step 612, whether the user has successfullycompleted the progress level. If the user has successfully completed theprogress level, sauna feature settings corresponding to the nextprogress level are generated, as shown at step 614. These featuresettings are communicated to the client at step 616.

Turning now to FIG. 7, another flow diagram is shown illustrating amethod 700 of using a sauna according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 7, step 702 consists of providing diagnosticdevices for detecting electrical failure within one or more of thevarious electrical systems associated with a sauna. At step 704,diagnostic data are received from the diagnostic devices. Thisdiagnostic data, as explained above, may relate to any number of aspectsof an electrical failure.

The diagnostic data is analyzed at step 706 to determine characteristicsassociated with the electrical failure. Based on the results of thisanalysis, a repair plan is generated at step 708. The repair plan mayinclude a set of instructions or recommendations corresponding toactions that can be taken, either by an individual or by a systemdevice, to remedy the problem or problems that resulted in theelectrical failure.

Referring now to FIG. 10A, an infrared source 1000 in accordance withthe present invention is illustrated. Infrared source 1000 may comprisea plurality of sections, such as first section 1010, second section1020, third section 1030, and fourth section 1040. Each section maycomprise an electronically discreet heating element. A heating elementmay be, for example, a flexible high-resistance polyimide material thatmay be tuned to emit infrared radiation with a peak emission wavelengthat a selectable wavelength. A high emissivity coating may cover thesurface of the polyimide substrate, if desired.

Further details of a polyimide heater element, such as may be used forfirst heater element 1010, second heater element 1020, third heaterelement 1030, and/or fourth heater element 1040, are illustrated in FIG.10B. FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a polyimide heaterelement 1060 that comprises a substrate 1061. Substrate 1061 maycomprise a first polyimide layer 1062 and a second polyimide layer 1062,with a metallic foil 1066 between first polyimide layer 1062 and secondpolyimide layer 1064. First polyimide layer 1062 and second polyimidelayer 1064 may be approximately 0.002 inches thick. Metallic foil 1066may comprise copper foil approximately 0.005 inches thick. Metallic foil1066 may be etched with conducting traces. Metallic foil 1066 mayeffectively reduce inductance and EMI. High emissivity coating 1070 maybe applied to the surface of the substrate 1061 intended to face thesubject/object to be heated. High emissivity coating 1070 may comprise,for example, Insuladd® suspended in matt black paint, resulting in anestimated emissivity of 0.98. Of course, any type of high emissivitycoating may be used. For example, various non-metallic plastics hightemperature paints such as Thurmalox by Dampney Engineering Coatings,and/or powder coatings may be used as high emissivity coating 1070.While the substrate 1061 illustrated in FIG. 10B comprises a firstpolyimide layer 1062, a metallic foil 1066, and a second polyimide layer1064, other substrates may be used. For example, substrate 1061 maycomprise Cirlex, which is a proprietary, all polyimide material,comprising layers of DuPont Kapton®. If used, Cirlex may comprise athickness of from about 0.008 inches to 0.125 inches. By way of furtherexample, substrate 1061 may comprise etched foil or wound wire betweenlayers of fiberglass reinforced silicone rubber. Yet a further exampleof a substrate 1061 is an etched foil layer between layers of mica. Ofcourse, further types of materials may be used for substrate 1061without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 10A, one of skill in the art will furtherrealize that sections as illustrated in FIG. 10 may comprise varioustypes of heating elements illustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG.10, first section 1110 may be controlled using a first thermocouple1115, second section 1120 may be controlled using a second thermocouple1125, third section 1130 may be controlled using a third thermocouple1135, and fourth section 1140 may be controlled using a fourththermocouple 1145. The use of thermocouples may be advantageous inproviding a finer control of the radiative temperature of the section itcontrols than a thermostat, but a thermostat or other type of controldevice may be utilized. As illustrated in FIG. 10, infrared source 1000may further comprise an additional heating zone 1050 controlled by afifth thermocouple 1055, although other types of heat control devicesmay be used. As illustrated in FIG. 10, fifth heating zone, 1050comprises an LED array. For example, LED array 1050 may emitfar-infrared radiation under the control of thermocouple 1055. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, different types of emitters may be used incombination to provide different types of infrared spectrumsimultaneously. For example, first section 1010 may be set (by the user,by an administrator, by a software program, or by other sources) to emitinfrared radiation in the near-infrared spectrum. Meanwhile, secondheater section 1020 and third heater section 1030 may be set (bysimilarly various means as the first section 1010) to emit infraredradiation in the mid-infrared spectrum. Fourth section 1040 may bedeactivated for purposes of a given infrared application. Meanwhile,fifth section 1050 may be activated (similarly to first section 1010) toemit infrared radiation in the far-infrared portion of the spectrum. Oneof skill in the art will appreciate that any given peak infraredwavelength will correspond to a surface temperature of the emittingheater section. In such a fashion, a user may obtain a spectrum having adesired peak or peaks of infrared radiation at one or more desiredwavelengths, as well as a peak desired power of radiation. Whileinfrared sources such as IR source 1000 may be particularly useful insaunas, as described herein, one of skill in the art will appreciatethat a tunable infrared source such as IR source 1000 may be useful in anumber of applications.

Overall, infrared source 1000 may be approximately 25.5 inches long andapproximately 13.5 inches high. Fifth heating section 1050 may compriseapproximately a 4 inch by 6.5 inch section approximately centered withininfrared source 1000. A space 1070 of approximately 1 inch may beprovided between fifth heating section 1050 and first heating section1010, second heating section 1020, third heating section 1030, andfourth heating section 1040 to facilitate the operation of fifth heatingsection 1050 at a lower operating temperature than first heating section1010, second heating section 1020, and third heating section 1030, andfourth heating section 1040. The power density of one or more section ofinfrared source 1000 may be selected based upon the cooling, load of theheating section. The desired power density may impact the shape anddensity of copper traces in the polyimide heater example illustrated inFIG. 10B. For sauna applications, in which the cooling load may belimited air in contact with the heating section, a desirable powerdensity may be 2.5 w/in² at 120 Vrms. Individual heating elements ofinfrared source 1000 may, optionally, be thermal limited to a maximumsurface temperature of 160° C. If fifth heating section 1050 is an LEDarray, a resistor, such as a 26Ω drive resistor may be used to limitcurrent to the LED array. The drive resistor, being a current limitingmechanism, may dissipate excess energy through ohmic heat loss. Thedrive resistor may be integrated directly onto a polyimide heating layeras an appropriately sized metallic trace.

Turning now to FIG. 11, another flow diagram is shown illustrating anexample embodiment of a method 1100 for tuning IR heating in a sauna. Atstep 1110, wavelength-range information is received. This informationrelates a portion of the infrared spectrum and may come from a controlpanel or computing device. It may be provided by a user or computingdevice. For example, a user may select settings with a control panel orheat control module indicating desired IR wavelength ranges. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that a user may select wavelengthinformation either directly or indirectly. For example, a user maydirectly select a specific wavelength(s) (for example, ten microns) or aspecific range of wavelengths (for example, near-infrared).Alternatively, a user may indirectly select a wavelength(s) by selectinga sauna program (for example “Detox”). Alternatively a computing devicemay provide information relating to wavelength-ranges based on, forexample, biological data of a user, program settings built into thesauna, information provided by a health club, or other availableinformation. At step 1120, power-level information is received. Thisinformation relates to radiated power output levels of IR emitted atwavelengths corresponding to the wavelength-ranges received at step1110. Power-level information may be received from the same sources andbe provided in a similar manner as the wavelength-range information. Forexample, power-level information may be selected directly or indirectlyby a user. Alternatively, power-level information may be received fromdriver circuitry of IR emitting sources. At step 1130, user informationis received This information may include information related to specificlocations on one or more users' bodies or specific pains, conditions, orsymptoms associated with users. User information may be received fromthe same sources and be provided in a similar manner as thewavelength-range information. For example, user information may bereceived directly or indirectly from a user. Step 1140 determinesparameters for IR-source drivers based on the received information. Thismay include determining any control instructions; control signals; andspecific voltage or current levels; including gate voltages duty-cycles,pulse-widths, or pulse-width-modulation frequencies, for example, forfacilitating emission of IR corresponding to the receivedwavelength-range information, power-level information, and userinformation. Finally, at step 1150, IR is emitted, from one or moreinfrared sources, at wavelength-ranges and power-levels corresponding tothe received information. Furthermore in one illustrative embodiment,the emitted IR may be directed to specific locations on a user's bodycorresponding to the received user-information. Step 1150 may beperformed by selectively activating IR sources and/or selectivelyactivating IR elements within a given IR source. For example, only thefar-infrared emitting elements in the IR source near a user's legs maybe activated, while both the near- and mid-infrared emitting elements inthe IR source(s) near a user's torso are activated, while none of theinfrared emitting elements in the IR source(s) near a user's head areactivated. Of course, such a selective activation may employ any degreeof spatial, temporal, power, and/or wavelength specificity desired inconstructing a sauna in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a further method 1200 in accordance with thepresent invention is illustrated. In step 1210 an object may be placedapproximate to infrared emitters having different peak emissionwavelengths. The emitters having different peak emission wavelengths asreferenced in step 1210 may possess inherently different peak emissionwavelengths, such as may be the case for emitters constructed ofdifferent materials that inherently emit at a different wavelength thanone another, or may utilize tunable emitters that may be tuned to emitat differing peak wavelengths. Further, step 1210 may utilize acombination of tunable and non-tunable emitters. In step 1220 theinfrared emitters are selectively powered to achieve a desired infraredspectrum. This spectrum will ultimately be radiated to the object, whichmay comprise a human body if method 1200 is used in conjunction with asauna. One of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that method1200 and the other systems and methods in accordance with the presentinvention may be utilized in a variety of scenarios and for a variety ofpurposes other than a sauna application.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an example of an infrared spectrum 1300 withmultiple peak wavelengths, such as may be obtained using systems andmethods in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated. Anear-infrared peak 1310 of a near-infrared spectrum 1315 may be emittedby one or more near-infrared emitters. A mid-infrared peak 1320 of amid-infrared spectrum 1325 may be emitted by one or more mid-infraredemitters. A far-infrared peak 1330 of a far-infrared spectrum 1335 maybe emitted by one or more far-infrared emitters. An individual emittermay be permanently dedicated or tuneable to emitting in thenear-infrared, mid-infrared, and/or far-infrared. One of skill in theart will appreciate that an emitter may have a peak wavelength in oneportion of the infrared spectrum but still emit at lower powers in otherwavelengths. The precise shape of a spectrum will depend upon thematerial and power of an emitter. Generally, near-infrared ranges fromabout 0.75-1.5 mm, mid-infrared ranges from about 1.5-7 mm, andfar-infrared ranges from about 7 mm and higher. The power of a givenpeak may be varied, for example, by increasing or decreasing the numberof emitters operating at that peak wavelength.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for a sauna integratedwithin a smart home environment such that various settings associatedwith the sauna can be controlled from various locations in the home, oreven from locations remote from the home. Other embodiments provide fora sauna that is integrated within a network of saunas or other devices.Still further embodiments provide for a sauna having any combination orall of the various features described herein.

The present invention has been described in relation to particularembodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art to which the present inventionpertains without departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is onewell-adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above,together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to thesystem and method. It will be understood that certain features andsubcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and iswithin the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infrared heater comprising: a plurality ofinfrared radiation emitters comprising: a near-infrared radiationemitter; a mid-infrared radiation emitter; and a far-infrared radiationemitter; and at least one power source electrically connected to theinfrared radiation emitters that each of the infrared radiation sourcesmay be powered independently from at least one other infrared radiationsource.
 2. The infrared heater of claim 1, wherein the near-infraredemitter comprises a plurality of LEDs.
 3. The infrared heater of claim1, wherein the mid-infrared emitter comprises a plurality of LEDs. 4.The infrared heater of claim 1, wherein the far-infrared emittercomprises a plurality of LEDs.
 5. The infrared heater of claim 1,wherein the near-infrared emitter comprises a polyimide heating element.6. The infrared heater of claim 1, wherein the mid-infrared emittercomprises a polyimide heating element.
 7. The infrared heater of claim1, wherein the far-infrared emitter comprises a polyimide heatingelement.
 8. A sauna comprising: at least one infrared emitter operableto emit infrared radiation over at least two specified peak wavelengthsin the infrared-wavelength spectrum; and at least one driver modulecoupled to at least one infrared emitter and operable to control theemitter to cause the at least one infrared emitter to emit infraredradiation over one of the at least two specified wavelength-ranges inthe infrared wavelength spectrum, wherein the specified wavelength-rangecomprises one or more of near-infrared radiation, mid-infraredradiation, and far-infrared radiation.
 9. The sauna of claim 8, whereineach infrared emitter comprises any of one or more near-infraredradiation emitting elements, one or more mid-infrared radiation emittingelements, and one or more far-infrared radiation emitting elements. 10.The sauna of claim 9, wherein the at least one infrared emitter furthercomprises at least one array of LEDs operable to emit infraredradiation.
 11. The sauna of claim 9, wherein the at least one infraredemitter further comprises at least one carbon-containing planar heatingelements.
 12. The sauna of claim 9, wherein the at least one infraredemitter further comprises at least one element containing ceramicparticles with a nanometer scale dimension.
 13. The sauna of claim 9,wherein the at lest one infrared emitter further comprises at least oneheating element on a polyimide film substrate.
 14. The sauna of claim 9,wherein the at least one driver module is further operable to controlinfrared radiated power output of at least one infrared emitter usingpulse width modulation.
 15. The sauna of claim 8, further comprising aheat control module operably coupled to the at least one driver moduleand operable to allow a user to specify desired output infraredradiation peak wavelength associated with each of the at least oneinfrared emitter.
 16. The sauna of claim 15, wherein the at least oneinfrared emitter comprises a plurality of infrared emitters, each of theplurality of infrared emitters pointing to a body portion of a user ofthe sauna when the sauna is used.
 17. The sauna of claim 8, wherein theat least one infrared emitter comprises at least two infrared emitters,each of the at least two infrared emitters operable to emit differentpeak wavelengths.
 18. A method for tuning infrared radiation heating ina sauna, the method comprising: receiving wavelength-range informationrelated to at least one temperature of infrared radiation at a specifiedbody portion; receiving power-level information related to at least oneradiated power output level corresponding to the at least onetemperature; determining IR-source driver parameters in response toreceived information; emitting infrared radiation from one or moreinfrared sources corresponding to the at least one temperature; whereineach infrared source comprises any of one or more near-infraredradiation emitting elements, one or more mid-infrared radiation emittingelements, and one or more far-infrared radiation emitting elements; andwherein the radiated power output level of the emitted radiationcorresponds to the power-level information.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the temperature information and power-level information areprovided by a user.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the temperatureinformation and power-level information are provided by a computingdevice.